Private An Equivalent Exchange

[Sinara Thorne]

Thorne Enterprises, Headquarters​

The moment the holoprojector shut off, Sinara let out an exacerbated sigh, sinking down into her chair. She could deal with a video conference or two, for several in a row? It damn near drove her insane. They were always so droll, so boring. But thankfully it meant today’s work was done, and it was time to finally leave.

Get something to eat, return home, pour a drink and then just relax for the remainder of the night. Sinara groaned, rubbing the back of her stiff neck. Maybe it was time for a little vacation, just so she could stretch her legs and not be stuck behind a desk all day.

But those were thoughts for another day.

The half-Eldorai pressed a button on her desk, pinging her assistant that resided outside of the office.

“Madeline, there isn’t anything else on the schedule for today?”

“Nope, that was everything set for today.” The young woman’s words brought a sigh of relief from Sinara, although it was quickly swept away as she continued speaking. “But there is someone here to see you, a ‘Miss Lashiec’.”

Sinara groaned quietly, her head hitting the back of her chair again. Of course, there had to still be something. Although, as far as she remembered, there had been no one with that name for today's meetings…

The woman paused as the name rang in her head a little bit more, sounding slightly familiar. Sitting up in her chair, Sinara quickly searched through her Holomail. And sure enough, she found the reason why.

She had been sent a message by one ‘A. Lashiec’ a few days ago, asking for a meeting. Unfortunately, it had been swept away along with the numerous emails she got daily. But the fact this Lashiec was here, despite not receiving a reply, spoke volumes.

Whatever her reason was for wanting to meet, it must be important to her.

“That’s fine, let her in.”

Aeris Lashiec​

 

[Aeris Lashiec]

Sinara Thorne

So, asking kindly had not quite worked out. Viera had put her up to a task and Aeris was not one to fail her friends. All traces of this little bugger went back to this woman. Aeris was no betting woman but the odds certainly seemed stacked against her for this one. The shadows would have had her head for this if they had intervened, but that was beside the point.

As she sat in the waiting room she felt an odd calm around her. The place didn't reek of corruption. It was tacky and perhaps a bit too polished, sure, but then so was her old home in the temple at Coruscant. The receptionist had even been kind enough to let her sit for a while as she sorted out the confusion.

And this 'Sinara' eventually even let her in. Aeris gave the receptionist a bow and entered the woman's office and approached her desk.

"Miss Thorne." Aeris said and bowed to her host. "I believe you never responded to my message, but I believe that if at first you do not succeed, you push harder."

Or well, at least in regards to tasks such as these.

"You have in your possession something that the Jedi Order would want to retrieve. I want to negotiate the release of said item."

 

[Sinara Thorne]

Sinara sighed as she straightened her posture, sitting more proper behind her desk. Even though this wasn’t an official meeting, she was always one to maintain an image of professionalism. Most especially when someone had specifically sought you out, it wouldn't do for them to find their query looking tired and disinterested from the get go.

Although, the half-Eldorai’s demeanour was anything close to disinterested when the blonde Jedi walked into her office. The woman’s ears visibly perked up in tandem with her overall mood.

Sinara mused quietly as she listened, observing Aeris. The mention of ‘the Jedi Order’ caught Sinara’s particular interest, leading her to looking the blonde up and down.

Hmm, she doesn’t look like one. Too casual for a Jedi…then again thinking they wear robes twenty-four seven is probably a stereotype.

That and the lack of a lightsaber at her hip didn’t help with Sinara’s doubts. Anyone could walk into her office claiming to be a Jedi. But as she looked at Aeris, with how she spoke and held herself, Sinara could believe it. But she also wasn’t naive to rely solely on that.

“My, aren’t you a pretty one.” She voiced the other thought that had occupied her mind since Aeris walked into the room. The half-Eldorai’s posture relaxed for a moment, the ghost of a grin on her face before she slipped back into ‘professional mode’.

“Ah yes, unfortunately some messages get lost in the day-to-day, and I can’t get around to responding.” Sinara spoke in a polite, if not outright neutral tone. “But I do appreciate the type that don’t let the initial hurdle keep them from pushing on.”

She fell into thought, pondering what exactly in her collection would interest the Jedi. There were numerous items that crossed her mind, but something told her this was something specific.

“Well Miss Lashiec, you’re going to need to be more specific. That is also presuming you can provide proof that you’re from the Jedi Order.”

Aeris Lashiec​

 

[Aeris Lashiec]

Sinara Thorne

Oh great, a smooth-talker. Aeris kept from rolling her eyes and merely curled her lips into a weak smile and gave Sinara a courteous nod at her compliment. Had this been some other time, perhaps it wouldn't have bothered her as much, but given the situation and the recent past — yeah, no — Aeris felt little joy.

Professional though, now that was a personality she could beam through.

"It happens. I am here now." Aeris nodded and crossed her legs before she placed both her hands at the knee. "I need a book in your possession regarding alchemical formulae and other less-than-good techniques that certain ambitious individuals out there has taken to as of late."

"To prove that I am who I am," She said and withdrew the datapad she had used to authorize the full publication of the Jedi Archive online, the multiple images that popped up when one searched for her on the HoloNet as well as a token in her pocket. "That should be enough."

"Or do you need more?"

 

[Sinara Thorne]

Interesting…

Sinara took note of Aeris’ reaction, wondering if there was something beyond general disdain. A part of the half-Eldorai was disappointed, she always enjoyed a little teasing now and then. But at the same time, she could respect someone who wanted to just get right to business.

The moment the blonde mentioned a book, Sinara was already mentally filtering through her collection. Once the words ‘alchemical formulae’ reached her ears, she knew immediately what Aeris was after. A curious item for a Jedi to seek, but then she assumed the blonde wanted it in ‘safer hands’.

Her eyes lit up in recognition, noting the various images and articles that Aeris decided to display. Oh yes, Sinara had heard of the little ‘exposé’ but hadn’t thought more of it. After all she was more of a…materialistic collector.

“Oh no, this is more than enough indeed.” Sinara sank back into her chair, not hiding the fact the gears were currently turning in her head, pondering what she could get out of this deal. Maybe making the blonde ponder too, would she be after credits, maybe an item in exchange; using her Jedi ties to get something from within the Order?

Either way, Sinara didn’t keep her waiting for too long.

“Tell me though, Miss Lashiec. What are you willing to part with in exchange for the book?”

Aeris Lashiec​

 

[Aeris Lashiec]

The items were brought back into Aeris' bag. She observed Sinara speak and the way she seemed to try and probe Aeris for a response. What the pointy eared woman got was the visual of a frustrated woman.

Her thumb and index finger rubbed at her brows for a moment before she let them fall against her chest. The other arm came up to cross its fallen friend and the librarian began to lean further into her chest with a raised eyebrow.

"Are you propositioning me, Miss Thorne?" Aeris looked annoyed. "Or are you perhaps suggesting that you would prefer a division of Jedi Shadows to pay you a visit one day instead of just the one lonesome Jedi Archivist who is asking kindly?"

"Five-hundred credits." Aeris said and leaned forward. "That is my offer."

Sinara Thorne

 

[Sinara Thorne]

An eyebrow rose at Aeris’ ‘suggestion’ of having Jedi Shadows pay her a visit. There was a retort immediately at the tip of her tongue, but Sinara refrained from letting it slip out of her lips. She’d rather keep from souring the mood.

Instead, she chuckled and shook her head.

“Oh heavens no, I try to not make a habit of mixing the two. But even then, it’s only when it's mutual between both parties.”

And it didn’t take much observation that the Jedi had no particular interest in that this evening.

There was mere a second passed when Aeris gave an offer, that Sinara’s lips twitched. Into, a smile, a smirk, or a grin? Either way it was quickly concealed as the half-Eldorai bowed her head. She laughed silently, the only indication being the slight shake of her shoulders.

“Even if I was interested in credits, I’m afraid that offer is shy of a zero or two.” Sinara looked over at Aeris again, amusement clear in her eyes. But it was quickly washed away as the woman returned to her more neutral-business expression.

“I’m instead more interested in an…exchange.” Sinara paused as she rolled the words around in her mind. “Something deemed equivalent to the item I’d be losing.”

Aeris Lashiec​